Seven agri-tech companies have been selected to join the first Missouri Agri-Tech Connect Programme. It will introduce them to key players in the St Louis agri-food ecosystem, located in the heart of US agricultural production.
Missouri Agri-Tech Connect has been developed by Agri-TechE working closely with the Missouri Partnership, the World Trade Centre and colleagues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Tim Nowak of the World Trade Centre says the initiative offers a good launch point for companies looking to engage with US food production.
He comments: “Nearly 50 per cent of US crop and livestock production is located within 500 miles of St Louis and it is a vibrant ecosystem. We see many synergies with the membership of Agri-TechE.
“This is why we are keen to broker one-on-one meetings and create networking opportunities that will support innovation and productivity within the two clusters.”
Dr Belinda Clarke, director of Agri-TechE comments: “Face-to-face contact is still the best way to do business, this programme will enable individuals to get to know each other and quickly assess the opportunities open to their organisations. It will be the start of a long term relationship between the clusters.”
The selected companies are:
- Joseph Camm Farm Ltd – Nottinghamshire vegetable farm and microbrewery
- PBD Biotech – developers of world’s first blood or milk test for tuberculosis
- Small Robot Company – providing ‘robots as a service’
- SmithsonHill – developers of ARC an agri-tech park to support innovation
- Wroot Water – water management and irrigation specialists
- Wyld Networks – wireless networks to support Internet-of-things
- Willand Group – developers of technology for improving livestock management
Anthony Hopkins, Director of Wroot Water, says: “With the amount of uncertainty we have had over the last three years, been given this opportunity I am honoured to have been awarded a place on the St Louis Mission. This will take our business into the next decade!”
Ruth Girdham of Joseph Camm Farms comments: “I am delighted to be chosen to join the St Louis Mission in February and to be representing my company Joseph Camm Farms. In these uncertain and challenging days in agriculture I hope to learn from the visit and be able to take my farming company forward in a successful and diverse way.”
Mark Hammond, CEO of PBD Biotech, says: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to participate in Missouri Agr-Connect – this is one of the benefits of being part of the agri-tech cluster and these programmes are a great way to get to know a new market.”
Sarra Mander, CMO of Small Robot Company, comments: “The Fourth Agricultural Revolution opens up a world of opportunity – and 2020 will see this start to become big opportunity for British business. For British farmers to compete in global markets. To boost food security in the UK and abroad. We’re keen to explore this huge potential for growth in the American market; the Agri-TechE St Louis mission is the ideal gateway.”
Eric Hewitson of Wyld Networks says: “We are thrilled to be selected to participate in the Missouri Agri-Tech Connect Programme with the opportunity to meet key players in the US agricultural ecosystem. Taking our technology into America is a major objective for Wyld Networks as we continue to extend our IoT connectivity technologies into the area of food security and agricultural sustainability.”
The Missouri Agri-Tech Connect Programme will take place from 24th – 27th February 2020.
The St. Louis agcluster offers vibrant grower communities, innovation centres, international ag and food corporations and centres of plant science research offering a wealth of opportunities for collaborative projects.